İstanbul. An armed attack was carried out this morning on the Istanbul Provincial Presidency of the IYI Party in Merter. The source from the IYI Party, reached by VOA Turkish, stated that the armed attack took place at around 5 am and a bullet hit the cafeteria on the ground floor of the city center. The source from the IYI Party, stating that they have received threats since Buğra Kavuncu was the provincial head, said that they were also warned about this issue by the Istanbul Police Department.
While no one was killed or injured in the incident, IYI Party Chairman Meral Akşener went to the Istanbul provincial building to say get well soon to the party members.
“The man who would scare Meral Akşener was not born from his mother”
Saying, “The man who would scare Meral Akşener was not born of his mother, I am not afraid, Recep Bey,” Akşener continued:
“Trying to intimidate political parties 1.5 months before the election is unacceptable. This is a great injustice and insult to voters. My dear nation, I am calling out to you. If the continuation of this freak system is to us today, to you tomorrow. My house was raided, they were acquitted, I was lynched and they were acquitted. I know that the courts and the police will not catch those responsible. You will go to the polls on May 14, and with your halal votes, you will change this monstrous, filthy, disgusting system.”
Addressing women as well, Akşener said, “Every insult, filth, and disgusting thing that cannot be done to a male politician was done to me, because I am a woman. If these things can be done to a woman in politics, we see together what is not done to your children and daughters. If you want this unlawfulness to end, precious women, you will cast your votes in the Nation Alliance on May 14.”
Kılıçdaroğlu: „Ms. Meral is a strong leader, she is Asena; You can’t scare like that”
CHP Chairperson Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu called IYI Party leader Meral Akşener and conveyed her best wishes. Kılıçdaroğlu said, “Ms. Meral is a strong leader, she is Asena, you cannot scare them like that. “I expect the perpetrators to be caught and brought to justice immediately,” he said.
It was announced that Future Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu, who called Akşener and conveyed his wishes to get well soon, will visit the IYI Party Istanbul Provincial Presidency during the day.
Saadet Party Chairman Temel Karamollaoğlu made a statement on his social media account, “I condemn the heinous attack on the GOOD Party Istanbul Provincial Presidency, and convey my best wishes to the IYI Party community; I hope the perpetrators are held accountable before the law. Anger, violence and hatred will lose politics; hope, peace and trust will prevail,” he said.
DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan said, “I convey my best wishes to the GOOD Party and Mrs. Meral Akşener. Those responsible for the attack must be found and punished immediately. We will resolutely continue to fight for the elimination of violence in our country,” he said.
Imamoglu and Kaftancioglu’s reaction to the attack
Meanwhile, reactions to the armed attack against the IYI Party are coming from the world of politics.
Republican People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul Provincial Chairperson Canan Kaftancıoğlu said, “Even your bullets will have no effect against goodness. Getting well soon,” said IYI Party Chairman Meral Akşener and Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who will attend the opening of the stadium in Gaziosmanpasa today, on social media, “I condemn the armed attack on the IYI Party Istanbul Provincial Presidency. While conveying my best wishes to our friends, I also underline our expectation that the perpetrators will be brought to justice as soon as possible.
Erdogan’s words about Akşener “Don’t make me worry about yourself” are discussed
IYI Party circles draw attention to the fact that the attack took place after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s words to IYI Party Chairman Meral Akşener the previous day.
In a live broadcast he attended the previous day, Erdogan said about himself on his social media account, “Giderayak, I saw you very nervous, Mr. Recep. He replied with harsh words to the writing “Drink the chamomile in the evening”.
President Erdoğan said, “Let the head of the IP keep your hands on your tongue, he has never seen construction in his life and does not know that they must have depth from head to toe. If we say we are doing something, we will do it, Ms. Meral. Watch out for us. My name is Tayyip, my surname is Erdogan. Pay attention to Erdogan, also pay attention to the name Tayyip. When you speak, speak accordingly. Don’t bother me with yourself,” he said.
The previous Istanbul Provincial Chairperson of the IYI Party and Akşener’s chief election adviser said that this rhetoric was a language of bullying and violence.